Here’s why Costco is enforcing stricter rules

DALLAS (KDAF) — We’re all tired of paying for memberships and subscriptions for every little thing. So you may have heard Costco is cracking down on membership sharing by requiring members to scan their Costco cards upon entry . And now we’re learning more about the rationale behind this change.

This new study breaks down how prevalent Costco membership sharing is, and what the cost could be for the nation’s third-largest retailer.

• 27% of Texas residents admit to membership sharing, the 10th-most among U.S. states
• Costco could be missing out on $1.75 billion in membership revenue to those shopping without their own membership
• 21% of adults who are not Costco members admit to shopping at Costco using someone else’s membership
• Non-members using borrowed memberships visited Costco an average of 4.3 times over the past year, suggesting significant potential lost revenue for Costco.
• Only 13% of non-members borrowing Costco memberships reported getting caught
• Among Costco members, 14% admit to allowing someone else to use their membership, and 67% have taken a non-member shopping with them.

With billions of dollars in potential revenue slipping through the cracks, it’s no wonder the retailer is enforcing stricter rules. So, whether you’re a loyal member or non-member, it’s time to face the facts: Costco is serious about making sure everyone pays their share. After all, those bulk snacks and giant bottles of detergent don’t restock themselves!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CW33 Dallas / Ft. Worth.